STETHS mourns coach Eldemire Smith

WESTERN BUREAU:

The entire St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), especially their sports fraternity, is mourning after the passing of veteran teacher and track and field coach Eldemire Smith on Saturday.

Smith, 68, served the Santa Cruz-based institution for 43 years as vice-principal, math and physical education teacher, and coach. He passed away at home in Shiloh.

Principal of STETHS Keith Wellington said Smith's contribution is immeasurable and will be deeply missed by everyone that knows him.

"His loss is significant, based on the contribution he has made not only in terms of track and field. What many people would not recognise is that he was head of the mathematics department for a long time and vice-principal from 2004 to, I think, 2018. This is showing that in our overall school development, he would have played a significant role," Wellington said.

"He came here in 1980 as a PE (physical education) teacher and was one of our cricket coaches when we started the dominance in 1979. After about two or three years, he took over the girls' track and field programme and won about 15 consecutive trophies. Also, during that time, STETHS was third at Girls' Champs for about 10 years," he added.

NATIONAL ICON

Wellington outlined that Smith's impact transcends the walls of his beloved institution, as he is a national icon in his own right.

"He was one of the most influential persons in getting girls to do hurdles at Champs. When we had the likes of Bridgette Foster and Winsome Cole, he was in charge of these girls. Also, with the boys, Winthrop Graham, Ian Weathley, Dinsdale Morgan and other top-notch hurdles who came out of STETHS in the '80s and '90s came from under his guidance. Jamaica's prowess in hurdling to date is partly to his contribution, so it's a significant loss to Jamaica's sport," Wellington.

Head coach of STETHS track and field team Marvin James said the team is distraught ahead of tomorrow's start to Western Championships.

"The team is not taking it well. Mr Smith was well-loved by everyone. We (staff) are all trying to offer moral support to the team. Yes, it will affect us. He has been ill since about December, and the distance guys would have gone to see him almost every day," James said.

"West(ern) Champs has always been one of his babies. Even before the sad news, we were already talking about doing it (defending our titles) for Mr Smith. When we and a team from the guidance department sit with them, we will try to put a positive to it by urging them to defend both titles for him, especially the girls' title," he added.